Manuel F. Rodas

Manuel F. Rodas, age 96, entered eternal life after a courageous battle with cancer on Sunday, August 16, 2015.

Manuel is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Estella M. Rodas; loving children, Estuardo Rodas and Lilian Miranda; grandson, Giovanni Fratti; and one dear sister, Estella Romero.

Preceded in death by his parents, Manuel and Hortencia Rodas Cruz; brothers, Roberto Rodas Cruz and Carlos Rodas Cruz.

Manuel was an Attorney at Law from San Carlos University in Guatemala. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Master’s Degree in education. He taught for over 19 years at Joliet Junior College and Southern Illinois University Carbondale Summer Abroad Program. He cofounded the first Hispanic credit union in Illinois and the first Spanish programing on WJOL. He volunteered at the Will Grundy Clinic as an interpreter. Manuel loved to travel and read and help anyone who was in need. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Manuel’s name to Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated.

A celebration of Manuel’s life will begin on Thursday, August 20, 2015 with prayers in the funeral home chapel at 9:30 a.m. then driving in procession to St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Crest Hill for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be held in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road, Joliet from 4-8 p.m.

Wednesday, August 19, 2015
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

Thursday, August 20, 2015
9:30 AM

Tezak Funeral Home
1211 Plainfield Road
Joliet, Illinois 60435

A celebration of Manuel's life will begin prayers in the funeral home chapel at then driving in procession to St. Ambrose Catholic Church in Crest Hill for a Mass of Christian Burial to be held at 10:00 a.m.

Thursday, August 20, 2015
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

St. Ambrose Catholic Church
1711 Burry Circle Drive
Crest HIll, IL 60403